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Best Campgrounds near Sterling, UT

443 Reviews

Sterling is surrounded by a variety of camping options in central Utah, from established campgrounds to free dispersed sites. Palisade State Park Campground offers tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations with amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and shower facilities. Several miles east, dispersed camping is available along Willow Creek Road where campers can enjoy primitive tent sites in a free, more remote setting. The region includes multiple state parks within a 30-mile radius, including Yuba State Park with its Oasis and Painted Rocks campgrounds that support both tent and RV camping.

Road conditions vary significantly by location and elevation, with some campgrounds requiring travel on well-maintained dirt roads. Manti-La Sal National Forest sites like Lake Hill Campground and Ferron Reservoir Campground typically open from late May through October, with closure dates dependent on seasonal snowfall. Many campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during summer weekends. Cell service can be inconsistent at higher elevations and in canyon areas. Campers should prepare for temperature fluctuations as many sites sit at higher elevations. A visitor to Ferron Reservoir noted, "Ferron sits right on the top of the Manti-La Sal mountain range that divides the state in two. You can get to the reservoir from either side of the range, and the roads are drivable for just about any vehicle."

Lakeside camping experiences attract consistent positive reviews throughout the region. Yuba State Park campgrounds provide lake access with options for boating and fishing, earning high ratings from visitors. According to one camper, "Place really gave that 'middle of nowhere feel', lake and surrounding area were beautiful." Sites at Temple Hill Resort RV & Campground in nearby Manti offer hookups and amenities for those seeking more developed facilities. The mixed-use terrain supports diverse recreation opportunities, with several campgrounds providing access to hiking, fishing, and off-road vehicle trails. Visitors frequently mention the scenic mountain views as a highlight of camping in this region, with many sites offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding Manti-La Sal mountains and reservoir waters.

Best Camping Sites Near Sterling, Utah (180)

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Recent Camping Photos near Sterling, UT

105 Photos of 180 Sterling Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Sterling, UT

443 Reviews of 180 Sterling Campgrounds

  • MrCopperhead1974 The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 21, 2026

    Meadow Hot Springs

    Beautiful spot

    Great spot for a day or two. The parking area has plenty or room would not recommend the last half mile of road its rough.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2026

    Meadow Hot Springs

    Meadows HotSprings

    Worthy of an overnight stop. Springs were busy during the day but fun.

  • Chenoa E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 10, 2026

    Fillmore Wildlife Management Area

    Excellent Spot

    Personally, this is one of my favorite spots and an awesome spot at that. The views are incredible and excellent for photography or for simply admiring. I stayed here for the full 14 days, experiencing both good and bad weather; I still recommend it.

    Road Quality
    Average. Gravel/dirt road with some potholes and ruts; an everyday vehicle could get down the road with care. It's a single-lane road, not a lot of through traffic, except campers. Roads can get soft with rain or snow, especially the potholes and ruts. Be careful and keep an eye on the weather.

    Site Quality
    Average. Campsites appear to be level for the most part; they have fire rings, they’re a good distance away from one another, and they appear to be large enough to fit two, maybe three bus-sized RVs. Sites are mainly dirt and grass; ground can get soft with rain or snow. Be careful and keep an eye on the weather. 

    View Quality 
    Excellent. Snow-capped mountains surround you, with excellent sunrises and sunsets and amazing night skies when they're clear. Plenty of birdwatching and perhaps other wildlife if you're lucky! 

    Noise Quality 
    Depends. The campsites closer to the entrance will hear the highway, but it’s mostly white noise for those who do not mind. I imagine the further you go back, the less you’ll hear the highway. The occasional plane or helicopter will fly by at a low altitude. Lots of birds; you’ll mostly hear them in the mornings and evenings. Neighbors have been friendly and respectful, making little to no noise. Besides the highway, aircraft, and birds, it's a quiet spot. 

    Internet Quality 
    Excellent. Full bars on LTE. Although I imagine the further you go back, away from the highway, the fewer bars you’ll get.

  • Conni M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 8, 2026

    Fillmore Wildlife Management Area

    Great Spot and beautiful views!

    Just few miles away from the interstate. Closer sites can hear some traffic. We went down a little ways and didn’t hear the road. Road would be awful if it rains- be aware!

  • Terrie L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2026

    Oasis Campground - Little Sahara Rec Area

    4wheelers dream

    There are no water hookups at sites but water throughout the area. Also had dump station & dumpsters. Lots of trails for side by sides, dirt bikes, & 4wheelers.

  • Kathy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 31, 2026

    Oasis Campground — Yuba State Park

    No Water!

    Looked like I'd be camping right on a lake, instead it was a dry lake bed. 

    Kind of fun to walk around and explore. I'm sure it's beautiful when the lake is full.

  • Chenoa E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 29, 2026

    Meadow Hot Springs

    Okay Spot

    This is a 50/50 spot; folks can be a problem. I recommend staying during the week or only for a few days. This is a popular spot for both locals and travelers alike, so expect folks and expect it to get crowded after work/school hours. The weekends are worse with folks messing around, being loud, shining flashlights in folks' vehicles, and partying till about 1am. Minus the occasional bad bunch and weekend folks, everyone else is generally respectful of others, kind, helpful, and just overall really outgoing. 

    Road Quality
    Poor. The dirt roads in and around the hot springs are really bad. Massive potholes and ruts everywhere. You definitely need good clearance, a 4x4, or some mad skills. The entrance lot is tolerable compared to the rest of the roads leading to the hot springs, which are far worse. I imagine the roads are even worse when it rains; the ground can get soft. Be careful and watch the weather. The gravel road leading to the hot springs is in excellent condition; any vehicle can drive down it, but once you hit the last cattle guard into the hot springs area, slow down. 

    Site Quality
    They’re okay. There aren't really sites, more like just parking somewhere where you aren't in the way of other people. There are some obvious dirt clearings, but you have to go through some rough dirt roads to get to them. It's definitely hard to find a good level spot here. I imagine the sites are even worse when it rains; the ground can get soft. Be careful and watch the weather. 

    View Quality
    Good. Mountains to the east and plains to the west. Sunrises and sunsets are gorgeous. The night sky is okay; the town is too close for a good view of the stars. Plenty of bird watching and cattle watching.

    Noise Quality
    Average. It's a popular spot; it does get busy, and there is traffic throughout the day. Everything usually does quiet down towards the evening and usually stays quiet into the mornings; there are just the sounds of birds in the morning. But the occasionally bad bunch can and will definitely make it noisy. 

    Internet Quality
    Average. Two to three bars on LTE.

  • Terrie L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 22, 2026

    Meadow Hot Springs

    Meadow Hot springd

    The road is extremely Bumpy. Once you get off the main dirt road. So, anything low profile is going to drag in some of the dips, but the hot spring itself is well worth it. If you can make it with three different temperatures, three different size pools. Nice people, just enjoyable Hot Springs. And as stated, take trash with you to keep it cleaner than you found it.

  • Terrie L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 19, 2026

    Nebo Loop Road Dispersed Camping

    Nobody Loop

    It was right off a rural road that was actually quite busy. They are absolutely no services so be prepared to be tostlkyvoff grid. No cell service which a bit scary if something were to happen and you needed help. You have drive down about 6/8 miles to get cell service. It was a beautiful area though.

Guide to Sterling

Camping sites near Sterling, Utah include a mix of national forest locations and lakeside destinations at elevations between 5,000-8,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during the day, dropping to 45-55°F at night. Many dispersed camping areas around Sterling require high-clearance vehicles for access, especially after rainfall when dirt roads become muddy and difficult to navigate.

What to do

Fishing at reservoirs: Palisade State Park Campground offers good fishing opportunities with a stocked lake. According to Becky J., the lake has "tons of fish to go fishing," making it ideal for anglers of all experience levels.

Mountain biking on nearby trails: The Willow Creek Road - Dispersed Site sits adjacent to mountain biking trails. Daniel S. notes, "It is RIGHT next to a mountain bike trail, so expect some early-morning bikers to be coming down."

ATV riding on forest roads: Jimmy's Fork - Dispersed Campsite provides access to numerous ATV trails. David C. mentions, "Many places to camp. For best selection arrive in the middle of the week. Good UTV trails nearby."

Paddling on reservoirs: Multiple water bodies allow for kayaking and canoeing. A visitor to Ferron Reservoir Campground suggests to "bring your canoes or kayaks and spend the day paddling around and fishing. The fishing is great!"

What campers like

Dark skies for stargazing: The remote location of many camping areas provides excellent night sky viewing. Ashlee W. at Painted Rocks Campground reports, "the sky was so dark you could see thousands of stars."

Cooler temperatures at higher elevations: Many campsites sit at elevations around 8,000 feet, providing relief from summer heat. Tracey W. notes about Willow Creek Road, "You are at almost 8000 ft so not a winter camping spot."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forests around Sterling host diverse wildlife. According to Anthony B. at Manti Community, "This is a forest campsite with vault toilets nearby. Lots of wildlife especially small furry ones."

Lake views from campsites: Several campgrounds offer waterfront perspectives. Ben mentions about Painted Rocks Campground, "The lake is not accessible at this time due to low water level, but the view in all directions is beautiful."

What you should know

Seasonal access limitations: Many forest service campgrounds close during winter months. Manti-LaSal National Forest Lake Hill Campground operates from "May 30 to October 30," with closures dependent on snowfall.

Weekday arrivals recommended for dispersed sites: The best spots fill quickly on weekends. David C. advises for Jimmy's Fork, "For best selection arrive in the middle of the week."

Possible wildlife encounters at night: Small animals may visit campsites after dark. One camper at Manti-LaSal National Forest Lake Hill Campground warns, "Hundreds of chipmunks and skunks raided our camp site when we went to sleep."

Remote locations with limited services: Many sites lack basic amenities. Fleur F. describes Ferron Reservoir as "Remote (about an hour on a one-lane dirt road) and quiet with beautiful scenery."

Tips for camping with families

Choose developed campgrounds for amenities: Families benefit from sites with facilities. LaDell G. notes about Palisade State Park, "They are nice and well kept. Great for trailers or tents of any size. Depending on the location you reserve you'll have an area of grass and a spot for your vehicle."

Watch for sharp gravel at some sites: Certain campgrounds have rough ground surfaces. Jeff W. cautions about Manti Community: "The site is not level and is covered with crushed rock instead of smooth gravel. Two of my three kids tripped and fell. The crushed rock is sharp and both kids that fell had several cuts."

Reserve early for summer weekends: Popular family sites book quickly. Karin W. says about Palisade State Park, "This is a great place to go kayaking (no power boats allowed). There are great atv trails nearby...if you are lucky enough to get a reservation."

Look for campgrounds with beach access: Water play areas enhance family camping. Brittley A. shares about Palisade State Park Campground, "We really love the lake and all the little trails we could mountain bike on! Good place for families or big groups to come to!"

Tips from RVers

Check site length before booking: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. Tanner S. notes about Lake Hill Campground, "Nice large campsites. Can be hard to navigate with a large trailer or RV."

Consider off-season visits for more privacy: Shoulder seasons offer less crowded conditions. Edward R. stayed at Oasis Campground and found "Nice facilities, with covered picnic tables at each RV spot, water, and most with electric. Nearby dump station...Pretty scenery, and several miles away from the interstate so very quiet."

Look for pull-through sites for larger vehicles: Some campgrounds accommodate big rigs better than others. Phillip R. mentions about Painted Rocks Campground, "We have a 42 ft motorhome and a separate pickup with a 6x12 trailer and we fit both in a pull through site and it looked like there was another 40 feet available."

Be prepared for high winds at lakeside sites: Open areas can experience significant wind. One camper at Oasis Campground noted they "had the whole lake to myself. Strong 30 mph winds."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Sterling, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Sterling, UT offers a wide range of camping options, with 180 campgrounds and RV parks near Sterling, UT and 45 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Sterling, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sterling, UT is Palisade State Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 9 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sterling, UT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 45 free dispersed camping spots near Sterling, UT.

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